State of Utah Archives: on Tax Reform

Dan Liljenquist:
Broaden the base; prefer FairTax

While Dan's preference is for a fair tax, he will actively advocate for any bill that broadens the base, lowers the rate and stops the game of playing favorites. Big companies should not be getting long-term tax breaks because they have better lobbyists.
Dan has received the Utah Taxpayer's Association "Taxpayer Advocate of the Year" award in both 2010 and 2011 because of his work on pension and Medicaid reform.

Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, danforutah.com
May 24, 2012

Gary Herbert:
Don't stifle citizens & businesses with new tax burdens

We must balance our budget responsibly, and in a way that does not stifle an economy that is finally beginning to show signs of recovery. We need to support our hard-working citizens and businesses, not stifle them with new tax burdens. We need to help
them succeed, not hamper their success. And we need to think toward the future, not just of today. I strongly believe the best thing we can do for our citizens and our economic recovery is to exercise continued fiscal restraint and to not raise taxes!

Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010

Chuck Baldwin:
10% tax on all imports into the US, and no other tax

Baldwin would repeal the income tax, and in return implement a 10% tax on all imports into the US. In addition, Baldwin would drastically cut federal spending.

“Basically, the only difference between the Republicans and the Democrats today is that the
Democrats want to tax and spend, and the Republicans want to borrow and spend,” Baldwin said. “But both of them want to spend. They spend like drunken sailors, except that’s an insult to sailors because at least sailors are spending their own money.”

Jon Huntsman:
Historically high tax burden is now below national average

Thanks to the entrepreneurs, innovators and hard-workers of our State, personal income rose nearly ten percent last year, outperforming every state in the nation.

Our historically high tax burden is now below the national average.
And we have the lowest tax rate since the implementation of the State income tax. Thank you members of the Legislature; you passed tax reform unanimously last session, and this month, it is a reality!

Source: Utah 2008 State of the State address
Jan 22, 2008

Jon Huntsman:
Removed half of the sales tax on food

Last year, together with the Legislature, we removed half of the State portion of sales tax on food and took an initial step in adopting a flatter, fairer, income tax that will help Utah keep its competitive edge. We established a dual tax system,
now recognized nationally, that gives individual taxpayers the choice of either paying under our old income tax system or simply paying a flat 5.35 percent in income taxes. As a result of this action, every Utahn will receive income tax relief.

Source: Utah 2007 State of the State address
Jan 16, 2007

Jon Huntsman:
Restructure taxes to be more business-friendly

We must restructure taxes to be more business-friendly. We need a new, more sensible structure that rewards the private sector for creating long-term economic growth (and jobs) in Utah: